Affordable Internet Connectivity Is Possible for Everyone

Imagine a government program that would connect millions of financially-challenged households to broadband in their homes. In a world of “If it sounds too good to be true…” you can expect that skepticism reigns. Fortunately, the Affordable Connectivity Program is not only a real program, but Congress allocated about $14 billion to help lower-income households pay for internet service. The catch? People have to know the program exists and believe it will deliver on its promises. Congress earmarked $100 million for outreach and education “regarding the broadband and communications affordability programs of the Federal Communications Commission” in the Build Back Better Framework, but even if it doesn’t pass the Senate, there are strategies for success of the ACP that can be taken from the FCC’s EBB program playbook. The FCC counts more than 32,000 EBB partners nationwide, from food banks to libraries. The FCC also held more than 300 events with members of Congress, tribal leaders, national organizations, local organizations and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as more than 30 Spanish language presentations. The FCC even got the National Football League to run public service announcements on the EBB program.

[Kim Keenan is co-chair of the D.C.-based Internet Innovation Alliance]